British Railways Standard Class 4 Tank engine 80078 has returned to its home on the Mid-Norfolk Railway after spells away at other heritage railways.

Last Christmas, 80078 was in service at the Swanage Railway in Dorset, after which it underwent winter maintenance and then most recently spent some time on the Epping and Ongar Railway.

Once the current track work is completed by next month, 80078 will resume service hauling trains from Dereham to Wymondham Abbey station on the Blue Steam Timetable, which will run most weekends during the school holidays.

In the meantime, 80078 will operate the current service to Thuxton and return.

That is a ten-mile round trip that gives passengers the opportunity to see the new station buildings that are nearing completion and the signal box.

During the summer, the Mid-Norfolk Railway’s popular evening ‘Breckland Fryer’ fish and chip trains and afternoon cream tea specials will also be steam hauled.

The ‘Kids Go Free’ family tickets that were successfully introduced in 2021 will again be on sale, and will be available for all standard running days but do not include special events or special trains.

Further details of events and timetables will appear on the railway’s website in due course at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk

Mid Norfolk Railway Honorary Vice President and engine owner Stewart Robinson, said:
“I am pleased to see 80078 back at the Mid Norfolk Railway after its recent travels and together with the rest of the railways steam crews, we are all looking forward to once again working the engine during this summer’s steam service”.

Charlie Robinson, the Chairman of the Mid Norfolk Railway, said:

“We are all pleased to see 80078 back at the railway and we are all looking forward to the summer holiday period when we will see steam trains once again travelling through the beautiful Norfolk countryside from Dereham to Wymondham.”